Badlands National Park - South Dakota

The drive was a little too long to do in one day so we spent one night on Lake Vermillion, near Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Up early the next morning, we drove and drove until we saw the Badlands sign. Not to forget the stops along the way though, enter The corn palace - WTF? Oakes built a palace using dried corn cobs… and 1880 town which was very sweet - most of the stuff we saw in the town was used as props for the movie "Dances with Wolves". Touristy stuff done, it was time to see these Badlands. We arrived mid afternoon, chose a site and just sat and stared at the beautiful badlands that surrounded us.

We were out of supplies so we made our way into "town" - Interior - which consisted of a general store and 2 bars. We went into all 3. We met some locals and the illegal scary Russian bar lady. Enough freakishness - back to camp for sunset, which was magnificent. Another early morning allowed us to watch the sun rise over the Badlands. Still early enough to do a game drive, we packed up, and drove through the park where we were greeted by our 1st Bison herd, 200 strong! Quite spectacular - they are such graceful animals, for such big beasts. Much to Morrow's disappointment, we drove straight passed the primitive camping, and left the badlands to explore the rest of South Dakota.